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Our office now employs the use of the Chattanooga DTS Spinal Decompression Table. This latest innovation features a computerized mechanical traction device that can decompress discs that have become herniated or bulged. We have been able to successfully treat many disc problems in the low back and neck, that otherwise would have required surgery. Of course no treatment is 100% successful, and some patients respond better than others with the use of axial decompression therapy on the DTS table. Feel free to call the office at (412) 833-6323 to ask the doctor if he thinks this treatment might be appropriate for you, your friends or family members.
All of the doctors have become certified in Graston Technique, which is a method of treating muscle and tendon problems with the use of stainless steel instruments that provide deep mechanical stimulation of soft tissues. The technique works based upon the theory that vigorous stimulation of soft tissue causes increased blood flow to the area of muscle or tendon pain, thereby speeding up the healing time. This method works well for conditions such as tennis or golfer's elbow, rotator cuff problems, plantar fasciitis, carpal tunnel syndrome, Achille's tendinitis, and other muscle and tendon problems. Feel free to call the office at (412) 833-6323 to ask the doctor if this treatment might help your condition.
We are pleased to announce that Dr. Schneider is starting the fourth year of his PhD program at the University of Pittsburgh, and the beginning of his research project comparing the effectiveness of different types of chiropractic treatment methods on patients with low back pain. Due to his coursework and research interests at the University of Pittsburgh, Dr. Schneider`s schedule here at the office is often changing, although he still sees patients on a full time basis. Please call the office for his most current office hours.
Most of you have now experienced a visit to your doctor’s office where you were required to sign a rather long form about your health care privacy rights. Every health care entity (doctors, hospitals, pharmacies etc.) that keeps a record of any of your health care information is now required by law to inform you of how your health care information will and will not be used. How your individual health information will be used is now governed by federal privacy standards. These privacy standards are part of the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) that was created by Congress in 1996 to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the health care system. The privacy standards were finalized in October 2002 and are meant to protect and guard against the misuse of individually identifiable health information.
The office is currently involved in a research study throught the University of Pittsburgh that is evaluating the efficacy of different types of chiropractic treatment, and you may be asked if you want to participate in this study when you schedule an appointment. Participation is entirely voluntary, and the treatment that you receive will be appropriate for your problem, and the same whether or not you choose to participate. Patients may be eligible if they have a new onset of low back pain less than three months duration without previous chiropractic or physical therapy treatment during that time period, and no history of back surgery. Other eligibility requirements must be met, and this will be discussed before you are accepted into the study.
Many of you who have been to the office for care in the past year have already met Dr. Imbarlina. He is a native of Pittsburgh, and received his undergraduate degree from The University of Pittsburgh. He went on to get his Doctor of Chiropractic degree from the National University of Health Sciences in Chicago, Illinois where he graduated in 1992. He resides in Mt. Lebanon with his wife Tracie, and daughters Emma, Olivia, and Tessa.
The office is now open on Saturday mornings from 8:00 to 11:00 am, and staffed by Dr. Imbarlina. Please call ahead for doctor availability and an appointment time.
As of April 1, 2006, Highmark BC/BS requires physicians to obtain pre-approval for imaging tests including MRI, CT scans, and PET scans, with few exceptions. This pre-approval is initiated through your doctor, and done through a company called National Imaging Associates (NIA). What this means to you is that even though we or any of your other doctors recommend one of these tests, it must be pre-authorized by NIA for it to be paid by Highmark. If it is not approved and you decide to go ahead with the test, you will have to pay for it yourself. We will provide NIA with the necessary clinical information, and do what we can so you get the testing that you need, but we cannot guarantee approval for these services.
We get inquiries from patients and others about speaking to a group or business about
health topics. We are happy to consider speaker requests, and a presentation can be
tailored to meet time requirements, and a subject of interest to the group. Some of the
topics that we have been presented are:
(a) Spinal disc problems
(b) General back and neck
care
(c) Posture and lifting on the job
(d) Do's and Dont's of back exercise
Call the office
and ask to speak to one of the doctors if you need a speaker for your group or company.